Hi everyone,

Its been a month since I've written any chapters in my story. There are still 4 chapters after this, but the major project that I have to do this year gets turned in on Tuesday, so I will have about 2-3 more hours a day to work on the story. I'm currently very sick with a virus (its not COVID), so luckily I'm not too worried, but it does suck lol. Enjoy the adorableness at the end of the chapter!

Stay Safe!

ekrichards

I do not own Harry Potter or the characters. This scene is my own.

Merely seconds after Marcus knocked on the door, the door opened to reveal Professor Snape. He was wearing his teaching robes. Harry and Hermione had only seen these on him at the Start of Term Feast, and they were surprised to see them billowing behind him as he greeted Marcus and walked toward the students. Marcus trailed behind Severus, hands clasped behind his back. Once Marcus took his seat, Severus cleared his throat.

"Good evening, and welcome to Slytherin House. My name is Professor Severus Snape and I am your Head of House. I will teach potions all 7 years that you will be here. Tonight, I simply want to go over rules and things that we do in Slytherin House. I expect you all to take them seriously, otherwise, you will be dealing with me."

The Slytherins were staring at Severus, taking every word in as he looked around the room to make sure that he had their attention.

"Rule 1 is the most important rule that you must follow while we are here. Slytherin House always sticks up for one another. We are a family, and no matter what differences we have, we will always be there to support and help our house members. Whether it be someone is being taunted by another house, dealing with an emotional pain, physical pain, you are academically struggling, or something else, we will always be there to help each other. If you do not feel comfortable confiding in your house members, I expect that you will come to me. As your Head of House, I am responsible for your well being and although I may appear a cold hearted dungeon bat, I know how teenage emotions work."

The common rule burst out in laughter at this. Severus waited for the laughter to die down before continuing.

"Rule two: You must do your best in your studies. This is important. Ravenclaw may be the most studious and smartest house, but we are also very smart and resourceful. It is important to you, me, your parents or guardians, and your future that you always do you best, no matter how much you like or dislike the class. To aid in this, we will have house-wide study sessions every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Everyone will study at these large tables from 8:00-10:00 at night. Feel free to come early. This is to ensure that your homework gets done and if you are struggling, you can ask any person in the house because they have gone through or are currently going through the class."

"Rule 3: Remember that all of you will make mistakes. Do not hate on one person because they made a mistake. Someone can lose 50 house points, 100 even, and they can regret it. Do not make someone feel worse about a mistake they made. Support them, defend them, and bring them up. Am I clear?"

A chorus of "Yes, Professor" and "Yes, sir" rang around the room.

"Very well. Curfew for first and second years is 10:00. You must be in bed by 10:30. This means books away, and in bed trying to sleep at 10:30 or earlier. Third and fourth years must be in bed by 11:00 and your curfew is 10:30. Fifth through seventh years, your curfew is the school's curfew time, 11:00. I would prefer you to be in bed by 11:30, but as you are taking major tests for your future, the latest I want you to up is midnight. For everyone, these times are to keep you healthy. I understand that you may not be tired, but if you want to succeed in life, you need to learn how you are as a person and what it takes for you to stay healthy. I will be continuing my weekly dormitory checks on Sunday mornings at ten in the morning to make sure that you are not living like heathens. You are members of a respectable house and I expect you to act like it and keep your rooms clean. Everyone is dismissed except for the first years."

The remainder of the house scattered around the room. Some students grabbed books as they went off to their dormitory while others simply left, conversing with their friends. Most everyone said good night to Severus as they left the room, and he nodded at each one in return.

"I understand that many of you are nervous to start the term. I will be handing out time tables tomorrow morning at breakfast. As I do with every year, I expect everyone to attend all of the meals provided in the Great Hall. I will know if you aren't there. As first years, I take time to get to know you individually. You will each sign up for a time that will allow you to speak with me one on one, and it can be about anything you wish. I like to meet with each of my first years for a minimum of 30 minutes a week. These meetings are mandatory, and if you skip them, you will be serving detention with me for an hour scrubbing cauldrons."

The first years looked at Severus, their rapt attention to him.

"Does anyone have any questions?"

A boy with brown hair raised his hand.

"Yes, Mr. Nott?"

"I was just wondering if we'd be getting a tour of the school tomorrow or tonight? It's a big castle and I don't want to be late for any of my classes tomorrow," Nott said.

"Very well. I will ask Mr. Flint to give you a tour on the way to breakfast tomorrow. Be sure to be up at and ready at 7:10 in the morning if you want this tour. Mr. Flint will be leaving at 7:15," Severus said curtly. "Any other questions?"

The first years shook their heads. Severus nodded.

"Very well. Girls, your dormitory is down that hall and the first door to the left, while boys, it is the first door to the right. The two doors in the center are the doors to the showers. I bid you a good night," Severus said, before turning on his heel and leaving the room.

The first years stood up and separated into their dorm rooms. Harry and Hermione said good night to each other and were the last ones in their room. Hermione glanced around the room at the 3 other girls who had claimed the beds that had their trunks at the foot of the bed. Hermione's bed was at the far right of the room next to the window that exposed the lake. Next to her was Daphne Greengrass, then Pansy Parkinson, and finally on the far left was Millicent Bulstrode. The girls stopped talking as she walked in. Hermione blushed pink, mumbled an apology and hurried to her bed.

"So, Hermione, where in Britain are you from?" A voice asked.

Hermione turned and saw Pansy staring at her.

"I'm from up north," Hermione said, not looking Pansy in the eye. Hermione was nervous to see their reaction to her being a muggleborn.

"You're the muggleborn right?" Daphne asked.

Hermione merely nodded.

"That's so cool! You're the first one, in like, ever. You made history!" Pansy said, excitedly.

Hermione let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"So you guys don't hate me?" Hermione tentatively asked, looking each of the girls in the eye.

Milicent and Pansy shook their heads.

"Oh, of course not. You may be a muggleborn but honestly? None of us really care for what type of blood you have. Of course we have to be mean in public and we will be towards other muggleborns in classes and such, but that's more a stereotype that our parents all follow more so than us. You're one of us now!"

Giggling, Milicent and Pansy started chanting.

"One of us, One of us, One of us!"

Hermione let out a small giggle.

"You have no idea how nervous I've been all evening. I met Draco on the school train and Harry too and they both were really nice to me even after I said I was muggleborn. I had hoped that the girls would be as receptive but you know how evil girls can be."

Daphne nodded.

"Wait, but weren't you at the station with Professor Snape?" Pansy questioned.

Hermione sighed.

"What I'm about to tell you, you have to promise to never tell anyone," the other three girls nodded. "You know how that new law went into effect that put muggleborns under childless people's care? Se-Professor Snape was the one who took me and Harry in, so I've been living with him the month before term. He's been really kind to me and Harry though, he bought me my owl and Harry's too. But don't tell anyone, he's really concerned about his reputation."

The girls nodded, and they fell back into conversation about their classes and their past lives. On the boy's side, however, they were all already asleep. They had been eating Harry's Bertie Botts beans that he had gotten on the train and were all daring each other to try different flavors. They had all conked out pretty quickly after Theo Nott had gotten a puke flavored one. Harry, although asleep, was tossing and turning.

"BOY!" Shouted a booming voice.

Harry turned to look out the little flap in the cupboard. Uncle Vernon was standing there, eyes as black as the night.

"Get out here," Vernon said, grinning wickedly. "You must be taught a lesson."

Harry was pulled out of the cupboard by a very strong and recognizable pair of hands. He dared to look at the hands. At the wrist was a black coat with buttoned sleeves. Harry's eyes widened and traveled up the arm that was holding his left shoulder. Harry knew immediately who it was. He turned and looked at the face. Severus Snape's onyx eyes were glittering back at him. Harry tried to make a run for it, but he was held in place by his hand. Harry turned back to Vernon, terror in his eyes.

"Uncle please, I didn't do it," Harry begged.

Severus let out a cold, harsh laugh. Harry turned to look at him.

"You were right, Harry," Severus said, drawing out his name with disgust. "I would bring you back once I realized that you were a freak! Now take your punishment like the brat that you are."

Harry shrieked and covered his head with his arms, trying to push away his two offenders.

"Harry!" Draco said, shaking him. "Harry wake up!"

Harry cried out, but did not wake up.

"Greg or Theo go get Marcus or Professor Snape," Draco said, continuing to try to wake Harry.

Greg ran out of the room to get Professor Snape. Harry had told them earlier that he was the person who had taken Harry in, and thought it would be the best choice. He knocked on the door that Marcus had knocked on earlier and waited patiently. A very disgruntled Professor opened the door.

"You are supposed to be in bed and asleep nonetheless. What is so bloody important that you had to wake me at 1 in the morning?"

Although Severus didn't look like he had been asleep. He looked very much awake, although he was in a black silk robe.

"Um, sorry sir, Harry's having a nightmare and we can't wake him up,"

"Very well," Severus snapped. "Lead the way."

Greg led the way to their dormitory. Upon entering, Severus and Greg saw a wild, thrashing boy on the bed nearest the window. Severus immediately went over and scooped the boy up in his arms and quickly moved to exit the room.

"He will be sleeping in my private quarters tonight. You will see him at breakfast tomorrow morning. I expect that the rest of you will go back to sleep. Good night, boys," Severus said, speaking over his shoulder.

Severus carried Harry through the common room to his private chambers, where he brought Harry to his room that had never been used yet. After being in Severus's arms, he calmed a little bit, but was still whimpering while tossing and turning. Severus began to run his fingers through the boy's messy black hair and tried his best to gently wake Harry out of his nightmare. Before long, Harry's breathing became more even and he stopped moving around. Now, Severus thought, is the time to wake him up.

"Harry," he said gently. "Harry, wake up, it's Severus. You were having a nightmare, wake up Harry."

Harry's eyes peeled open and nearly doubled at the size of Severus. He jumped and scooched as far away from Severus as he could while remaining in the bed. His eyes were brimming with tears.

"You hurt me," Harry whispered, his voice coming out between rushed breaths. "You didn't stop him, you let me get hurt!"

"Shhh, I would never allow you to get hurt. Please, tell me what this dream was about," Severus gently commanded.

"I was- I was in my cupboard, and Uncle Vernon was gonna beat me because I was being a freak, and - and- and you just told me to stay put and accept it like the freak that I was. You held me in place while he-" Harry said, sobbing now.

"Oh, Harry, I would never do that," Severus said, as he summoned a Dreamless Sleep Potion. "I promised you that I would never hurt you didn't I? I intend to keep that promise. I think it's best that you rest here tonight. Here is a Dreamless sleep, drink please."

Harry took the bottle and hurdled towards Severus in a hug, nearly knocking the wind out of him.

"You promise?" A small voice mumbled, muffled from being pressed into his chest.

"I promise, Harry."

Harry released himself from Severus, his tear stained face blotchy. He uncapped the potion and drank it, before handing the bottle to Severus. Within seconds, Harry started to yawn and his eyes started to droop. Severus tucked Harry under the covers and began to silently leave the room once he was certain that Harry would be asleep. He reached the door, dimmed the lights, and heard a very sleepy voice call out to him.

"Good night Dad."